The average price was up to $620,000, from $525,000 a year ago, an 18.1 per cent rise. The median price also rose 18 per cent, while the price of a â€œbenchmarkâ€ house, or typical home, rose by just three per cent.

Meanwhile sales of townhouses more than doubled to 89 this July from 42 in July 2013, and condo sales were also up, to 42 from 35.

Average prices of condos and townhouses also rose, while the benchmark prices rose for townhouses to $293,700 from $285,200, and the benchmark price for condos was essentially flat at $208,200.